Mole-Braised Black Beans with Fried Plantains

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Hearty black beans simmered in rich mole sauce and served alongside golden fried plantains for a deeply flavorful vegetarian dish. This mexican-inspired mexican (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs (15 oz) black beans, mole sauce, ripe plantains for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 3.7 (15 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a saucepan, combine 1 can (15 oz) black beans, 1/4 cup mole sauce, 1/2 cup vegetable broth, 1/4 tsp cumin, and 1/4 tsp salt. Simmer on low heat for 15 minutes until thickened and flavors meld.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 ripe plantains (sliced into 1/2-inch rounds) and fry for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup sesame seeds.
  3. Step 3: Serve the mole-braised black beans alongside the fried plantains, ensuring each portion has a generous helping of beans and plantains.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Mole-Braised Black Beans with Fried Plantains take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Mole-Braised Black Beans with Fried Plantains?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (15 oz) black beans from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Mole-Braised Black Beans with Fried Plantains?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Mole-Braised Black Beans with Fried Plantains for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Mole-Braised Black Beans with Fried Plantains vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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